First Look: Cadillac Provoq concept

Cadillac is about to become General Motors's technology leader. The parent company undoubtedly figured it should do that when accounting for the costs of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid. You can absorb more cost with the sticker price of a Caddy, and besides, there's that old tradition of trickle-down.

So with that in mind, Cadillac is hinting at its 2010 small-midsize crossover with a high-tech concept named Provoq (referencing the XLR/Evoq, of course) for the upcoming 2008 Detroit auto show. No, the production model won't be called that, and it won't be called BRX, either.

Provoq rides on GM's E-Flex architecture and features a hybrid electric/hydrogen-fuel-cell drivetrain featuring a 70kW front motor and two 30kW rear motors. Cadillac says it'll do 0-to-60 mph in 8.5 seconds, top out at 100 mph, and run for 280 miles between hydrogen fill-ups. Its thermostatically controlled Sixteen concept-style grille opens only when the fuel stack needs cooling. Talk about Art & Science. It has a full belly pan, a large rear spoiler, seven-spoke wheels with polycarbonate fillers, pop-out door handles, and mirrors that are as small as possible, like the grille, for best-possible aero.

The more down-to-earth production version launches by late 2009 on the "premium-Theta," with all-wheel drive on a front-drive-based unibody platform, shared with the new Saab 9-4x. It's about 190 inches long and 65 inches tall, on a 110.8-inch wheelbase, with only two rows of seats.

Expect the Caddy to come with the 3.6-liter gas direct-injection V-6, until the hydrogen-fuel-cell hybrid is ready.